The Irish standard., 1887-09-10

me; but believe now the contrary was
the case. It was very foolish in me to
torment myself as I did; for, as I after
wards remembered, her face always
| lighted up on seeing me; and while /
1 stayed, though she generally remained
silent. she looked perfectly happy. !
wished very much that my dear mother
should see her, but was quite afraid
lest she should feel prejudiced against
her. For l noticed that my mother was
quite jealous Of every one who she i'm
agined might make too deep an impress
sion on me. [ believe she thought no
one good enough for NE!
so matters stood, When one day John
Mulyany came into the school and
handed me a letter to read. read it,
and my heart died within me. A rela-
tive had paid his daughters passage to
| America. Rose had an elder sister, a
quiet, good, Industrious girl Her father
called Rose. and told her to come home
| with him. She did not know what was
in the letter, but believe she guessed
it, for as she went out she looked at me,
and turning round her head, kept her
eyes fixed upon me till her father closed
the door. [ never saw her look directly
at me before while was looking at her.
One midsummer day she Came with
her father and mother to take leave Of
the scholars, [ shall never forget the
scene. The children clung to her, most
OF them crying passionately. Several
Of the boys even were obliged to brush
| the tears from their eyes as they looked
at her. For the first time the poor girl
was well dressed: and, surely a creature
more radiant never WAS seen. When
they had gone, [ went mechanically
through the business of the day. I
locked the school-room rs usual, and
turned my steps homeward. Before
going into my little cottage, [ walked
for An hour by the river I asked my
self should declare my affection to her,
and ask her to stay and be my wife:
But what reason had to hope that she
| cared for me? And what would my dear
mother think? Was [ even sure that
Roses parents would consent? For,
with all their respect for me, I thought
it quite possible that they would not
consider nue. a fit match tor their daugh-
ter. The school-master is thought so
little Of in this country. No. had not
the courage to ask Rose Mulvany to be
my wife.
In the evening I went down to the
bridge, where che people were as
sembled round a bonfire. There was
dance, too. The sisters were there,
with their arms twined round each
others waists. There was something
touchingly sorrowful in their faces. I
thought my heart would burst as |
looked at Rose. She was so sad, and
oh! how lovely! You. Mr. Purcell,
were there. a young girl asked you 70
dance. After dancing with her, you
looked round to choose partner, as is
the custom. You asked Rose Mulvany
to dance. T saw her eyes flash with
pleasure. all gloom was gone in ali
instant. Surely the pang felt at that
moment was not caused by Jealousy!
But did feel a pang; and Immediately
a gloomy foreboding took possession OF
my heart. 1 moved to the side of
Roses sister.
Mary said I, take care Of Rose
sShe looked at her sister, and then at
me. She took my, hand and pressed it
without speaking. I knew she under
stood me.
Il accompanied them home, Oh! the
grief of that poor father aud mother!
For q while it made me forget my own.
l bade farewell to Mary, and kissed her,
I could not do more than take Roses
hand. Her head dropped and her lips
parted as did so. AS let go her cold
hand she fell senseless into my arms.
Oh, fool, fool! why did J. not save her
then?
Mary died OF fever on the voyage.
Her sister landed in New York, And !!
oh, my God! how can write the
words? Rose Mulveny, the beautiful,
the innocent. the pure, is lost, polluted
thing. Ny life, since I learned her fate.
has been one dream of agony. I have
but in vain, to tear her
from my heart. I know she is lost to
me forever. But the thought that she
is lost to virtue and to God-leadjng a
life Of sin, and dragging souls to hell-is
wearing away my life.
My dear, good mother is gone to rest.
have laid her besides my father. /
cave Ireland tomorrow. [ go to save
Rose Mulvany. If it be Gods will that
succeed, you will hear from me.
1ood by, my true friend, and may you
oe happy!'
Jane Evans closed the book.
'And has he been happy?' she MUIR
She opened the window again.
md watched the stars gong down.
And the gray dawn was creeping up
The eastern sky when Jane Evans laid
J, ~. hood ,,rov ,or r,il1cu